We’re saddened to report the loss of another icon of the Sedona community. Dick Ellis passed away on July 16, 2021 at the age of 94.
Dick’s contributions to Sedona and the Verde Valley are hard to overstate. He served on the Board of Directors of a host of organizations including Keep Sedona Beautiful, Benefactors of Red Rock State Park, Save Our Ancient Redrocks, and the Verde Valley Land Preservation Institute. He also served on the Steering Committee for the Permanent Protection of the national forest in the Sedona Verde Valley Red Rock Area (CPP).
He served on Sedona’s Planning and Zoning Commission and the Sedona City Council. Dick served as Mayor of Sedona from June, 2002 – June, 2004. Although selected to be the Mayor by the newly seated City Council, it was also this Council that then initiated a public vote of residents to determine future Mayors. His service to the community focused on critical issues such as open communications and transparency in government, transportation, infrastructure, quality of life and efficiency in government. Many of the best practices followed by city government are a direct result of Dick’s work.
Dick was passionate about protecting and preserving our environment and the beauty of Sedona. He was instrumental in working with KSB to pass Sedona’s covered load ordinance, and was the driving force behind the citizen-led effort to keep Hwy 179 from becoming a 4-lane thoroughfare. He was also passionate about the value of quality education and served on the Verde Valley Board Advisory Committee of Yavapai College. Dick was a treasure trove of knowledge of Sedona’s history and of the significant decisions that are the underpinning of Sedona’s attraction for people from all over the world.
His retirement was simply a transition to a life of service, for which we’re eternally grateful. Thank you, Dick.